Please note that former Project Reality versions required a fully-patched copy of Battlefield 2. With 1.3, the game works as standalone, meaning you do not need any other software/game to run the mod. You do not require Battlefield 2. Download and install like any other program and you're good to go. Nevertheless, you find an installation guide here: How to Install Project Reality. If you encounter any technical issues, head to this section for help: PR:BF2 Support

2. Settings

Project Reality comes with a launcher where you can change most settings outside of the game. You can change your settings to your personal preference before starting up the game.

Spoiler for Settings:

3. Mumble

Project Reality comes with an integrated VOIP System (Mumble) that requires no extra installation. It automatically switches you to the right channels ingame.A working microphone is crucial to playing this game!.
Most servers strictly enforce microphones.

Therefore, make sure you have mumble set up properly and know which buttons to press:

:: H-Key: Local Speech
Press H to talk to everyone around you ingame. Enemies cannot hear local speech. You can use local speech even when you are down. Local Speech comes with positional audio.

:: Numpad 0-Key: Squad Radio
Press Num0 to talk to every player in your Squad.
:: Numpad / (Divide)-Key: Squadleader to Commander Radio
Press Numpad / to directly contact your team's commander.
:: Numpad * (Multiply)-Key: Squadleader to All Squadleaders Radio
On this channel, you talk to all Squadleaders and the Commander of your team at the same time. Do not Spam this channel.
::Numpad 1 - 9-Keys: Squadleader to dedicated Squad Radio
If you want to contact a specific squad, just press the respective Squad Number on your Numpad to directly talk to them. Use this to coordinate attacks, relay intel to armor or for calling in mortars, supplies or transport.

The colour of each channel is represented in the ingame overlay. If someone talks to you in local, their name will appear in blue. If someone in your squad uses Squad Radio, it will be green. If the commander contacts you, it will be yellow et cetera.

Spoiler for Keybindings:

If you want to change your keybindings to something that suits you better, head to the Mumble Tab in the PR-Launcher Settings to change them:

Spoiler for Mumble:

Furthermore, in the PR Launcher -> Options -> Audio tab, you can change your Audio Cue Settings. Since the Radio Cue sounds can be very loud, it is recommended to reduce the cue volume. You can also disable all cue sounds if you wish to do so.

Spoiler for Radio Cue:

If you have a problem with your mumble connection, let your squad know in the text chat (default: L). Alt-Tab out of your game and close the small mumble tray icon in the bottom left. Mumble will then restart and re-connect, which usually solves any connection issues.

4. Controls

You can access and edit your controls ingame via options -> controls. Please note that the "communications" tab is now irrelevant, as PR comes with mumble as described above. So don't get confused by the different VOIP keys that are listed in the ingame settings - They do not matter and don't work. The same goes for the Audio Tab, where you can adjust Music and Effects Volume - the VOIP settings are not needed anymore.

5. Manual

Absolutely crucial to understanding the basics of the game is the PR Manual. You can find the latest version in your launcher under "Manual" or in the internet: PR Manual
You can find in-depth explanations of the Launcher, Menus, Mumble as well as all ingame mechanics and how to play the game, it's classes and gamemodes.

I especially recommend Section 3 - The Basics.

B. Joining a Server

Spoiler for Joining a Server:

1. Servers

There are several clans and communities that run their own Project Reality Public Gaming Servers for up to 100 players. There is a website as well as a android app where you can check which servers are up at the moment and who is playing without having to start up the game:

Generally speaking, Project Reality : Battlefield 2 can be played even with a high ping. There are servers all over the world that can be joined. Everything up to a ping of 200 is playable without many problems. This means, if the peak time of your time zone is over, you can still join the servers of another continent and play PR just fine.

3. Server Rules

Most Servers have a website with their ingame rules listed there. Most servers share very similar rules. Find the rules and location of the most popular servers here (In alphabetical order)

Most Servers are full with 100 players. Some Servers have reserved slots, which means, starting at a certain point (98 players for example), only players with a reserved slot can join. There is an auto-connect function in PR:
- Select a Server
- Click "View Server Info"
- Click "Auto-Connect"
- Enter Maximum amount of players (= Max. Players - Reserved slots). If there are two reserved slots for a 100-player server, type in 98 and then click "Auto-Connect". The game will automatically attempt to join the server.

C. Surviving the first minutes or "How not to get kicked"

Project Reality relies on a number of mechanics that have been established in the mod over the years. These are crucial to fluid and drama-free gameplay. As listed above, the server rules are central to the endeavour of keeping the standard of gameplay on a high level. Server Admins want to play the game themselves and will not hesitate to remove players from the server if they fail to comply with the server rules.

For you as a new player, here are the most basic things you must consider:

Spoiler for Player Introduction:

1. Use your Microphone!
2. Join a Squad!
3. DO NOT LONEWOLF - Ever! If your Squadleader doesn't lead his squad: Report him ("!r yourmessage" in text chat)
4. DO NOT take any vehicle without permission. Do not abandon assets in the field.
4. Don't assume anything (especially vehicles) works like in a normal FPS shooter! Ask first!
5. There are no name-tags! You need to differentiate friend and foe by their uniform. Use your map if you're not sure!
6. Press 8 for a bandage that can heal you a bit if you are wounded - anything else: Go see your squad's medic.
7. Learn about the terminology of PR here.
8. If a heavy vehicle of your team gets destroyed, it only respawns 10 - 20 minutes later (depending on the asset).
9. If you get shot, your team looses one ticket. If you go dead, your team looses another ticket. Vehicles cost tickets as well. Loosing a flag costs your team 30 tickets. So don't give up too fast and wait for a medic.
10. Type K for team text chat (or L for squad text chat) if you have any questions or ask in mumble. (Note: If you are wounded or dead, the players that are alive CANNOT read what you type).
11. Type !admins to see a list of admins online. Type !r message to send a message to the administration team (If you want to report a rule-breach or have a request, such as asking them to switch you to the other team). Type !shownext to see the next map in the rotation.

Spoiler for Squad Creation:

There is specific time set before which it is not allowed to create Squads. This is to allow slow loaders to get a chance of a specific squad and to avoid a bug that arises with early squad creation.

The Squad Creation time differs from server to server and ranges from 3:00 Minutes (NEW New Era Warfare) over 2:00 Minutes (PRTA Project Reality Teamwork Alliance; FCV Free Candy Van) up to 1:30 Minutes (MeRk Reality Teamwork; HOG Hardcore Older Gamers). Do not create a squad until the respective time on the countdown is reached.

For new players, it is not recommended to start their own squad rightaway, as it is significantly more complicated than being a squadmember and requires extensive knowledge of the game and its mechanics.

Spoiler for Assets & Asset Rule:

All servers enforce an 'Asset Rule'. This means that you cannot just take any vehicle on the battlefield and operate it as you wish. If you want to drive Armor, you have to join the Tank Squad for example. If you want to fly Close-Air Support, you have to be in the CAS Squad and so on.

NEW PLAYERS SHOULD NOT DO SPECIALISED ROLES UNTIL THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE GAME - Most Servers will remove players from their position if they are not capable of fullfilling their role in an asset properly.

As a new player, we recommend that you join an Infantry Squad first and foremost to learn the basics of the game. Make sure your microphone and mumble is setup and tell your Squadleader that you are new.

As a guideline: Don't take any vehicle without consulting with your squadleader first. Do not take any heavy vehicle without being in the appropriate squad. Do not operate specialised vehicles alone. Do not use Logistics vehicles as personal transport. Do not operate transport vehicles (jeeps, trucks) with lots of seats on your own - instead, help transport people to the frontlines.

Spoiler for Mumble and Communication:

As discussed in the first paragraphs, make sure your mumble is setup and running and you know which keys to press. If you have a problem with your mumble connection, let your squad know in the text chat (default: L). Alt-Tab out of your game and close the small mumble tray icon in the bottom left. Mumble will then restart and re-connect, which usually solves any connection issues.

1. Tell your Squadleader that you are new to the game.
2. Do not spam the radio, but don't be too silent either. Inform the Squadleader when you go down, when you are taking fire et cetera. Ask him for orders et cetera. Use local mumble if possible.
3. Your Squadleader has much more comms than you have, he has to listen to other Squadleaders and the Commander as well as his own squad - bear with him if he demands some radio silence or doesn't immediately answer a question you have.

Most EU and US Servers demand that all chat and communications are to be in English. Within the squad, you can use whatever language you please, but when talking to other players around you and when using the Team Text Chat (K) or Global Text Chat (J), please stick to the Server Language.

Spoiler for Spawning:

One of the most common mistakes new players do is spawning in the wrong place at the wrong time. Next to the mainbase spawn, your team has player-placed Forward Operations Bases (FOBs), which are small green triangles on the map that you can spawn on, as well as player-placed Squad Rallypoints, which are small green numbers.

Only Squadmembers of the respective Squad Number can spawn on the rally point. If you are in Squad 3 and try to spawn on the Rallypoint of Squad 5, you will spawn in Main Base instead. Therefore, you have to select your spawnpoints carefully.

1. Do not give up! When you go down, don't give up and respawn. You can be revived. Call your squad's medic. You have five minutes time until you bleed out. You can give up when your squadleader tells you to do so.

2. Do not respawn! When you are dead, wait for your squadleader to tell you where to spawn. Don't just go ahead and spawn at a place of your choice. Ask where to spawn prior to spawning.

Spoiler for Kits:

For new players, it is highly recommended to stick with the basic infantry kits for the beginning. Many kits require deep knowledge of game mechanics that you need to learn over time. A rifleman kit is a good choice for the beginning. It is a good allround kit with grenades, smoke and ammunition. You do not need a Sniper kit!.

1. Do not grab a kit without consulting with your Squadleader first.
2. Before spawning, ask which kit you should take.
3. Usually, Squadleaders assign kits before the round starts, so make sure you listen what kit you are assigned. Make sure you let him know that you are new.
4. DO NOT hesitate to ask questions regarding certain aspects of your kit.

You can drop your kit by pressing T, then right-clicking and then pressing G.
Pick-Up kits on the ground with the G key. Enemy kits can only be held for a short amount of time. Make sure you replace them with a friendly kit asap when you pick one up.